Homeless Services Supervisor
The Homeless Services Supervisor performs responsible supervisory, administrative, and field-based human services work supporting individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness. Supervises and coordinates the delivery of case management, service navigation, and housing stabilization services while providing guidance and field support to staff engaged in community-based outreach and client engagement. Reports to the Director or Deputy Director. The preferred hiring range for this position is between $75,296.00 - $90,168.00 annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:
- Choice of retirement plan: Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
- Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.
- Directs, plans, and schedules the daily activities of staff serving clients of individuals and households experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness.
- Supervises, coaches, trains, motivates, assigns, and monitors work activities of employees within assigned unit. Sets work objectives and goals, hires, evaluates performance and administers disciplinary action in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures.
- Locates and participates in direct engagement with unhoused individuals who are residing in locations not designed for permanent sleeping by visiting encampments, shelters, and/or other outdoor locations to provide assistance, connect to services, and ascertain needs.
- Provides housing-related case management, including assessing client needs, developing individualized service and transition plans, and in securing and maintaining housing stability and other supportive services. Oversees the work of subordinate staff by providing guidance, consultation, and expertise on case management practices and complex issues.
- Provides mediation and advocacy on behalf of clients to develop a workable plan to obtain or maintain housing, including but not limited to working with landlords/property managers and others.
- Assists individuals with overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency such as obtaining necessary documentation, rental assistance, personal items storage, etc., during the transition from homelessness or temporary shelter into permanent housing.
- Assists in the response plan for unhoused encampments; monitors encampment activities and notifies management and/or community agencies of any health, safety, or urgent issues.
- Assists internal and external community agencies with planning, preparation, facilitation, and monitoring, of cleanup activities.
- Coordinates and participates in prevention activities by working with various city staff, peer agencies, and/or community groups on addressing issues, concerns, and complaints.
- Participates, coordinates, and/or facilities meetings with community groups, peer agencies, and/or city staff to receive feedback/concerns, determine available or needed resources, and obtain a basic understanding of housing activities as it relates to the unhoused.
- Builds, fosters, and strengthens relationships with partner agencies to identify opportunities that support housing stability, identify gaps/barriers, and assist with short- and long-term goals.
- Maintains a list of resources available in the Charlottesville community that offer services to individuals experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness.
- Assists in an ongoing effort to ensure unhoused, or those at risk of being unhoused, receive information on community agencies that support housing assistance and other related services.
- Assists with educating the unhoused population on applicable laws and City ordinances and policies.
- Maintains case management records in accordance with policies, practices, and guidelines; and completes accurate and timely data entry into applicable departmental systems.
- Presents, prepares, and discusses reports/findings to department management, city management, and/or various committees.
- Participates in the planning and development of departmental programs, policies and procedures and recommends or initiates revisions as needed.
- Provides trauma-supportive and appropriately responsive service.
- May guide, escort, and/or transport clients to/from service resources.
- Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond in case of emergency, as needed to provide necessary services to the public.
- Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
- Regular and reliable attendance.
Other Duties
- May assist in applicable grants or funding sources.
- Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.
Education, Experience and Skills
Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.
- Bachelor's degree in a human services field such as social work, psychology, sociology, or related field AND 4 years of work experience related to case management, self-sufficiency programs, homelessness services, housing programs, behavioral health, or other related area, of which 1 year was in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
- OR
- Associate degree in Human Services field such as Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, or related field AND 6 years of work experience related to case management, self-sufficiency programs, homelessness services, housing programs, behavioral health, or other related area, of which 1 year was in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
- OR
- High School Diploma or GED AND 8 years of work experience related to case management, self-sufficiency programs, homelessness services, housing programs, behavioral health, or other related area, of which 1 year was in a lead, senior, or supervisory capacity.
- OR
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.
Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:
- Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver's license and acceptable driving record according to City's criteria.
- Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
- Job Knowledge: Advanced knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, policies, procedures, and ordinances, particularly those relating to or affecting self-sufficiency, housing, and the unhoused.
- Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of social work, counseling, and case management.
- Advanced knowledge of human behavior, crisis intervention, and current social, economic, and related issues related to housing stability.
- Extensive knowledge of available resources, services, support, and public assistance programs available.
- Knowledge of public outreach concepts or techniques.
- Knowledge of effective personnel management.
- Reading: Advanced: Ability to read, investigate, research, analyze, and understand complex written materials such as regulations, policies, professional journals, case work, financial reports and/or legal documents.
- Writing: Intermediate: Ability to organize data, maintain accurate records, and write clear and concise reports, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences to explain information. <